Hezbollah announced the death of Commander Ibrahim Mohammed Kobeissi on Wednesday, following an Israeli airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs, which reportedly killed six people, consistent with Lebanese authorities. Kobeissi was once described by Hezbollah as having been “martyred on the road to Jerusalem,” a term the group uses for those killed in wrestle with Israel.
The Israeli army confirmed on Tuesday that it had targeted and “eliminated” Kobeissi, identifying him because the commander of Hezbollah’s missile and rocket network. This strike is an element of ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, with the region witnessing escalations in violence.
Lebanon’s health ministry said in a statement that the “Israeli enemy raid on Ghobeiri in Beirut’s southern suburbs killed six people and injured 15”.
The Israeli militia said Kobeissi commanded a couple of rocket units, including a precision-guided missile unit, and was once hit together with other commanders of Hezbollah’s missiles and rockets force. “Kobeissi was once a significant source of knowledge in the field of missiles and had close ties with senior Hezbollah militia leaders,” it said.
Israeli militia spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told a media briefing that “as a minimum two” other commanders from Kobeissi’s force were also “eliminated”.
The Israeli raid that killed Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Mohammed Kobeissi came only a day after Israel launched another “targeted strike” on Beirut’s southern suburbs. This earlier attack was once reported to have targeted Ali Karake, Hezbollah’s third-in-command. Though initial reports suggested Karake was once the target, Hezbollah later confirmed that he was once alive and had moved to safety.
These incidents are a a part of a broader escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, who have been exchanging near-on every day basis cross-border fire since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October. The violence has intensified in recent days, heightening fears that the situation may escalate into an all-out war.
